Nuns on the bus to spread a message

Cuts in programs for the poor is their concern

June 22, 2012|MAY LEE JOHNSON | South Bend Tribune

Sister Simone Campbell reacts to the crowd after stepping off a tour bus for a protest on Friday outside of offices of Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Granger, along Colfax Avenue in South Bend. Campbell, who organized the "Nuns on the Bus" tour, is executive director of Network, a liberal social issues lobby in Washington. (South Bend Tribune/JAMES BROSHER)

SOUTH BEND – Roman Catholic nuns stepped off the big, colorful bus, with a sort of rock-star swagger but like most nuns their purpose was clear: to spread a message.

“NUNS On The Bus,” and the words “Nuns drive for faith, family & fairness” are splashed across the bus.

These nuns are on a road trip protesting proposed federal budget cuts and rejecting what the Vatican is saying about them.

They made two previous stops before coming to downtown South Bend to Congressman Joe Donnelly’s office Friday on the fifth day of their tour.

The women are speaking out against proposed cuts in programs for the poor and working families in the federal budget that was passed by the House of Representatives and proposed by Rep. Paul D. Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican. They also aim to deliver a spirited reply to the Vatican that has accused the nuns of being outspoken on issues of social justice, but silent on other issues the church considers crucial such abortion and gay marriage.

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“We are out here trying to get the word out about Representative Paul Ryan’s proposed budget cuts,” said Sister Marge Clark, of Washington, D. C.

“On our tour we are trying to make people aware of extreme harshness of the U.S. House of Representatives’ budget bill and how it would hurt kids’ health, cut food stamps and leave so little funding for programs. It’s sad because the reductions of those programs would affect those most in need of that help.”

The tour was organized by Sister Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Service who has served as executive director of Network since 2004. Network is a Washington D.C.-based Catholic social justice group that has been criticized by the Vatican.

Their stop at Donnelly’s office was the third stop in South Bend where they are visiting various locations in the city. The nuns are on a bus tour of nine states and are stopping at homeless shelters, congressional offices and health care facilities run by nuns to highlight their work with the nation’s poor.

“It great to see the sisters traveling around doing what every American as a right do and that is freedom of speech,” said Hodge Patel, District Director for Donnelly. “They are here today to share their view with the congressman.”

The sisters met with residents and other nuns during their time in South Bend. After a short visit at Donnelly’s office they went to the Daughters of Charity and the Sisters of Mercy.

“I saw them on television and I wanted to come down and show my support for them,” said Sandy Fisher, of South Bend. “I was on my way to St. Margaret’s House to eat because my food stamps ran out. If I don’t get food stamps any more, I don’t know what I’m going to do. All I can say is rock on sisters, rock on.”